The snow has yet to start flying in Eastern Iowa, but when it does, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office will be ready.

"We don't get to take a day off because of weather, and we don't close down because of weather. So we still have to work in the worst kind of conditions, and typically, that's when we become the busiest, in the bad weather conditions," said Sheriff Dan Marx.

They've upgraded their fleet, adding some new trucks, and making sure all their vehicles have 4-wheel drive capability.

"It was very difficult to get around, especially on the icy roads and the secondary roads that a lot of times don't get plowed right away. Where there might be two feet of snow on the roads, and we're trying to respond to call in 2-wheel drive, mostly rear wheel drive cars, which naturally didn't work too well," he said.

But now with all their vehicles properly upgraded, Marx says they'll be able to respond to calls much faster, and not have to worry about getting stuck themselves.

"I needed to be rescued a few times by my deputies, where I would get stuck on my way to a call, and we would bring someone else out, and we've had times when that vehicle would get stuck," he said.

They were also able to buy all the vehicles locally, making sure that money goes right back into the community they're working so hard to take care of.